Dog Question

[Pulse]

Originally Posted by Footbag

...try to identify the signals he gives off when he has to go. When you see the signals, that's when to bring him out.
If you catch him in the act, yell, and make a big deal about it and then bring him outside immediately.
Before long, he'll make the association and know where it's OK to go...

I agree with this part of Footbags guidance mostly (no "need" to yell at the dog though to effectively train him on this). Learn to identify the signals (they do give them) and get him outside as quickly as possible. Yelling at the dog isn't necessary, just get them outside. The dog is smart enough to figure it out soon enough with repetition and praise for going outside...

As a part 2 to this you may want to consider training him to "give" you the signals you need in order to let him out when he has to go (bell training or door relational positioning are some examples)

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

David, crate training is also a godsend with pups, especially labs.
You want to play with them and cuddle them constantly, but some time in the crate will do more good for the dog than many things. Crate at night, not too much room for him to move around. Dogs won't soil their crate, 99% of the time.
First thing in the morning, out the door. Serious good dogs and praise, maybe cookies if that is your style.
Play with pup a little bit...
Back in the crate. You want him in the crate when the urge starts to overtake him. 45 minutes later, or whatever interval he seems to dig, out of the crate and out the door.
Repeat as necessary.
It works for me, and not only do labs seem to "get" crate training, but they (hopefully) start treating the crate or travel kennel as a sanctuary, or Asylum, if you will. That is a good thing.

This is great advice. Crate training will save you and the dog a LOAD of confusion and frustration. The key to crate training (as put in bold) is to limit the puppy/dog to the amount of space you give him in his crate. As said above they will not soil the place they sleep in so make sure he only has enough room to turn around and lay down in, that's it. Put a piece of cardboard or other solid material in the crate to fill up the space you want him to not use while training him. As he grows you can adjust it if necessary but again, the dog WILL learn quickly if guided consistently.

[smitdavi]

He's getting good about going out now at the end of day 1. He's gone out about 4x in a row, and I'm startin to pick up on his signals, and he's starting to go to the door when he needs to go. Not bad for only day 1. Would you guys crate him even when your home? When were home he usually follows us around the house. What would you guys suggest?

[smitdavi]

Also would you guys pick his food up after a certain time even though there is food in the bowl still?

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by smitdavi

Also would you guys pick his food up after a certain time even though there is food in the bowl still?

Self feeding vs. scheduled feedings are a personal choice, for you and the dog, when he gets older, some do very well, some don't, and get huuuuuge, in the wrong way.
With a puppy, I would schedule 3 or 4 feedings in a day, and pick it up when he slows eating. Like magic, he will need to go out within 10 or 15 minutes at the tops to take care of business.

[smitdavi]

Thanks guys...It's puppy bedtime.

[Cenookie]

Chew toys are your best bet. Dogs chew because they get bored, so give them a chew toy.

[replicant_argent]

yep.. nothing cuter and more irresistable than a lab pup, but try to crate him intermittently throughout the day so he is used to it, and will learn to be comfortable in it no matter the circumstance. Sounds like you are doing a great job so far!